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Missing teeth can greatly impact more than aesthetics, which is why it is vital to seek proper dental treatment. When gaps are present in a smile, oral health, self-confidence, and essential function are all significantly affected. Dental implants are unlike other available tooth replacement solutions as they restore the entire structure of a tooth, from root to crown. At our dental practice, Dr. Rao and her team provide both precise dental implant placement and top-quality restorations for new and existing patients looking to replace missing teeth.
Missing teeth can greatly impact more than aesthetics, which is why it is vital to seek proper dental treatment. When gaps are present in a smile, oral health, self-confidence, and essential function are all significantly affected. Dental implants are unlike other available tooth replacement solutions as they restore the entire structure of a tooth, from root to crown. At our dental practice, Dr. Rao and her team provide both precise dental implant placement and top-quality restorations for new and existing patients looking to replace missing teeth.
When teeth are absent in a smile, the lack of tooth root prohibits proper stimulation of the jawbone. This is vital for healthy tooth development and helps preserve natural aesthetics. Prolonged missing teeth will inevitably result in rapid gum-tissue recession, better known as bone resorption. This leads to a prematurely-aged appearance as facial features begin to sag, and neighboring teeth begin to shift towards the absent tooth site.
Because dental implants can replace both the entire tooth from root to crown, they are the most reliable solution for resolving the aesthetic and oral health complications associated with missing teeth. They naturally fuse with tissue and bone because dental implants consist of biocompatible titanium, a material that encourages osseointegration.
With over 28 years of treating patient smiles, Dr. Monica Rao has developed a skilled and trusted network of specialists to ensure accurate and successful treatment. Working alongside our team is our in-house periodontist, Dr. Gyusik Cho. He, along with our dentists, will walk you through every aspect of your treatment, inducing your implant placement procedure.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Cho utilizes state-of-the-art dental technology to analyze your oral anatomy thoroughly. This involves checking for adequate jawbone and gum tissue health to ensure you are an ideal candidate for placement.
For patients who are in good oral health but lack jawbone density, Dr. Cho can perform preliminary procedures such as bone and soft-tissue grafting to build up the essential volume your jawbone needs for the implant posts to fuse properly.
Titanium posts typically need several months for the treatment site to heal. Once fully integrated, our team finalizes your dental implant treatment with a customized restoration. We craft our restorative prosthetics in-office with the use of our CEREC technology.
With the aid of digital impressions and x-rays, we produce natural-looking and durable implant-supported prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, partials, dentures, and overdentures. Each restoration is crafted with the highest-quality material such as porcelain.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and mirror the same function as the root of a tooth. The procedure for dental implants is usually performed while a patient is sedated. Patients who undergo IV sedation must have an empty stomach and transportation home following the procedure. Most sedation patients will have little to no memory of the procedure occurring.
Generally, dental implants are made out of a biocompatible metal such as titanium. Biocompatible metals are also used for other common bone implants (such as shoulder, hip, and knee replacements). The visible portion of the implant is usually made out of porcelain and is custom-made to match your existing teeth.
Dental implants are designed to fuse to the bone, which makes them become permanent fixtures. Typically speaking, the success rate is nearly 100%. There are few cases in which the implant will not fuse as intended and must be removed. If this happens to occur, the procedure can be attempted again a few months later.
Dental implants are not usually covered by dental insurance, but may be covered under a patient's medical insurance. Our office and your insurance company can discuss coverage options with you based on your individual case and treatment plan.
It's easy... just take care of an implant as if it's a natural tooth! This involves regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. If you have any concerns about your implant, contact us immediately.